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Ecological site R107XB023IA

Natric Floodplain Prairie

Last updated: 5/21/2020
Accessed: 11/24/2024

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

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Figure 1. Mapped extent

Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 107X–Iowa and Missouri Deep Loess Hills

The Iowa and Missouri Deep Loess Hills (MLRA 107B) includes the Missouri Alluvial Plain, Loess Hills, Southern Iowa Drift Plain, and Central Dissected Till Plains landform regions (Prior 1991; Nigh and Schroeder 2002). It spans four states (Iowa, 53 percent; Missouri, 32 percent; Nebraska, 12 percent; and Kansas 3 percent), encompassing over 14,000 square miles (Figure 1). The elevation ranges from approximately 1,565 feet above sea level (ASL) on the highest ridges to about 600 feet ASL along the Missouri River near Glasgow in central Missouri. Local relief varies from 10 to 20 feet in the major river floodplains, to 50 to 100 feet in the dissected uplands, and loess bluffs of 200 to 300 feet along the Missouri River. Loess deposits cover most of the area, with deposits reaching a thickness of 65 to 200 feet in the Loess Hills and grading to about 20 feet in the eastern extent of the region. Pre-Illinoian till, deposited more than 500,000 years ago, lies beneath the loess and has experienced extensive erosion and dissection. Pennsylvanian and Cretaceous bedrock, comprised of shale, mudstones, and sandstones, lie beneath the glacial material (USDA-NRCS 2006).

The vegetation in the MLRA has undergone drastic changes over time. Spruce forests dominated the landscape 30,000 to 21,500 years ago. As the last glacial maximum peaked 21,500 to 16,000 years ago, they were replaced with open tundras and parklands. The end of the Pleistocene Epoch saw a warming climate that initially prompted the return of spruce forests, but as the warming continued, spruce trees were replaced by deciduous trees (Baker et al. 1990). Not until approximately 9,000 years ago did the vegetation transition to prairies as climatic conditions continued to warm and subsequently dry. Between 4,000 and 3,000 years ago, oak savannas began intermingling within the prairie landscape, while the more wooded and forested areas maintained a foothold in sheltered areas. This prairie-forest transition ecosystem formed the dominant landscapes until the arrival of European settlers (Baker et al. 1992).

Classification relationships

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Iowa and Missouri Deep Loess Hills (107B) (USDA-NRCS 2006)

USFS Subregions: Central Dissected Till Plains Section (251C); Missouri River Alluvial Plain (251Cg) (Cleland et al. 2007)

U.S. EPA Level IV Ecoregion: Missouri Alluvial Plain (47d) (USEPA 2013)

Biophysical Setting (LANDFIRE 2009): Western Great Plains Depressional Wetland Systems (3914950)

Ecological Systems (National Vegetation Classification System, Nature Serve 2015): Western Great Plains Saline Depression Wetland (CES303.669)

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010): Eastern Saline Meadow

Plant Associations (National Vegetation Classification System, Nature Serve 2015): Distichilis spicata – Hordeum jubatum – (Poa arida, Iva annua) Wet Meadow (CEGL002031)

Ecological site concept

Natric Floodplain Prairies are located within the green areas on the map (Figure 1). They occur on floodplains in shallow depressions. Soils are Mollisols and Vertisols that are poorly-drained and very deep. These soils formed from clayey alluvium that are slightly to moderately affected by soluble salts, which accumulated from seeps associated with the underlying Dakota Sandstone bedrock (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010). As a result, the associated vegetation is typically dominated by salt-tolerant species.

The historic pre-European settlement vegetation on this site was dominated by graminoids and annual herbs adapted to conditions of varying salinity. Species diversity occurs on a gradient with diversity increasing as salinity decreases. Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene) and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) are the dominant and diagnostic species for the site. Prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult.), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Á. Löve), and prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Bosc ex Link) are other common grass associates. Few herbaceous species can be found within this site. Those present include Pursh seepweed (Suaeda calceoliformis (Hook.) Moq.), annual marsh elder (Iva annua L.), and red swampfire (Salicornia rubra A. Nelson) (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010; NatureServe 2015). Historically, fluctuating high water tables and seasonal flooding were the primary disturbance factors of this ecological site (LANDFIRE 2009; Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010; NatureServe 2015).

Associated sites

R107XB021MO	Wet Terrace Savanna Alluvial soils that are somewhat poorly to poorly-drained including Blackoar, Blencoe, Bremer, Burcham, Hornick, Luton, and Nevin
R107XB020MO	Loamy Terrace Savanna Moderately well-drained soils on terraces including Ankeny, Anthon, Cott, Cotter, Keg, Norborne, Salix, and Wiota
R107XB019MO	Wet Floodplain Prairie Poorly-drained alluvial soils on floodplains far from the stream channel including Ackmore, Aquents, Bremer, Calco, Colo, Cooper, Fluvaquents, Fluvaquents-sandy, Fluvaquents-silty, Forney, Grantcenter, Holly Springs, Kezan, Lakeport, Larpenteur, Lawson, Mt. Sterling, Nishna, Orthents, Solomon, Tieville, Uturin, Vesser, Wabash, Woodbury, and Zook

R107XB021MO

Wet Terrace Savanna

Alluvial soils that are somewhat poorly to poorly-drained including Blackoar, Blencoe, Bremer, Burcham, Hornick, Luton, and Nevin

R107XB020MO

Loamy Terrace Savanna

Moderately well-drained soils on terraces including Ankeny, Anthon, Cott, Cotter, Keg, Norborne, Salix, and Wiota

R107XB019MO

Wet Floodplain Prairie

Poorly-drained alluvial soils on floodplains far from the stream channel including Ackmore, Aquents, Bremer, Calco, Colo, Cooper, Fluvaquents, Fluvaquents-sandy, Fluvaquents-silty, Forney, Grantcenter, Holly Springs, Kezan, Lakeport, Larpenteur, Lawson, Mt. Sterling, Nishna, Orthents, Solomon, Tieville, Uturin, Vesser, Wabash, Woodbury, and Zook

Similar sites

R107XB019MO	Wet Floodplain Prairie Wet Floodplain Prairies have somewhat poorly to poorly-drained soils but are not affected by salts/gypsum
R107XB025IA	Loamy Floodplain Prairie Loamy Floodplain Prairies have moderately well-drained soils and are not affected by salt/gypsum
R107XB018MO	Ponded Floodplain Marsh Ponded Floodplain Marshes experience flooding and ponded, but soils are not affected by salts/gypsum

R107XB019MO

Wet Floodplain Prairie

Wet Floodplain Prairies have somewhat poorly to poorly-drained soils but are not affected by salts/gypsum

R107XB025IA

Loamy Floodplain Prairie

Loamy Floodplain Prairies have moderately well-drained soils and are not affected by salt/gypsum

R107XB018MO

Ponded Floodplain Marsh

Ponded Floodplain Marshes experience flooding and ponded, but soils are not affected by salts/gypsum

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Distichlis spicata (2) Hordeum jubatum

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Physiographic features

Natric Floodplain Prairies occur on shallow depressions in floodplains associated with large riverine systems (Figure 2). They are situated on elevations ranging from approximately 700 to 1,200 feet ASL on slopes that are generally less than two percent. These sites are subject to rare, brief flooding.

Figure 2. Figure 1. Location of Natric Floodplain Prairie ecological site within MLRA 107B.

Figure 3. Figure 2. Representative block diagram of Natric Floodplain Prairie and associated ecological sites.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Hillslope profile	(1) Toeslope
Slope shape across	(1) Linear
Slope shape up-down	(1) Linear
Landforms	(1) Flood plain
Flooding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days)
Flooding frequency	None to rare
Elevation	213 – 366 m
Slope	0 – 2%
Water table depth	0 – 36 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The Iowa and Missouri Deep Loess Hills falls into two Köppen-Geiger climate classifications (Peel et al. 2007): hot humid continental climate (Dfa) dominates the majority of the MLRA with small portions in the south falling into the humid subtropical climate (Cfa). In winter, dry, cold air masses periodically shift south from Canada. As these air masses collide with humid air, snowfall and rainfall result. In summer, moist, warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico migrate north, producing significant frontal or convective rains (Decker 2017). Occasionally, high pressure will stagnate over the region, creating extended droughty periods. These periods of drought have historically occurred on 22-year cycles (Stockton and Meko 1983).

The soil temperature regime of MLRA 107B is classified as mesic, where the mean annual soil temperature is between 46 and 59°F (USDA-NRCS 2006). Temperature and precipitation occur along a north-south gradient, where temperature and precipitation increase the further south one travels. The average freeze-free period of this ecological site is about 165 days, while the frost-free period is about 150 days (Table 2). The majority of the precipitation occurs as rainfall in the form of convective thunderstorms during the growing season. Average annual precipitation is 31 inches, which includes rainfall plus the water equivalent from snowfall (Table 3). The average annual low and high temperatures are 36 and 61°F, respectively.

Climate data and analyses are derived from 30-year average gathered from one National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather station contained within the range of this ecological site (Table 4).

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	133 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	157 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	787 mm
Frost-free period (actual range)	133 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	157 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	787 mm
Frost-free period (average)	133 days
Freeze-free period (average)	157 days
Precipitation total (average)	787 mm

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 5. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 6. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 7. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 8. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 9. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) ONAWA 3NW [USC00136243], Onawa, IA

Influencing water features

Natric Floodplain Prairies are classified as a DEPRESSIONAL wetland under the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Smith et al. 1995; USDA-NRCS 2008) and as an Emergent Palustrine, Temporarily Flooded wetland under the National Wetlands Inventory (FGDC 2013). Seasonal fluctuations in the water table are the main source of water for this ecological site but can also receive water from precipitation, upland surface runoff, and flood waters from the nearby stream (Smith et al. 1995). Infiltration is very slow (Hydrologic Group D) for undrained soils, and surface runoff is very high.

Figure 10. Figure 5. Hydrologic cycling in Natric Floodplain Prairie ecological site.

Soil features

Soils of Natric Floodplain Prairies are in the Mollisol and Vertisol orders, further classified as Typic Natraquerts and Vertic Endoaquolls, with impermeable infiltration and very high runoff potential. The soil series associated with this site includes Napa. The soils were formed under herbaceous vegetation and have an eluviated surface horizon. The parent material is alluvium that is slightly to moderately affected by soluble salts, and the soils are poorly-drained and very deep with seasonal high water tables. Soil pH classes are neutral to strongly alkaline. No rooting restrictions are noted for the soils of this ecological site.

Figure 11. Figure 6. Profile sketch of soil series associated with Natric Floodplain Prairie.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Alluvium
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Poorly drained
Soil depth	203 cm
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	15.24 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	0 – 30%
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 16 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0 – 18
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	6.6 – 9

Ecological dynamics

The Loess Hills region lies within the transition zone between the eastern deciduous forests and the Great Plains, with the Missouri River flowing through the middle. The heterogeneous topography of the area results in variable microclimates and fuel matrices that in turn are able to support prairies, savannas, woodlands, and forests. Natric Floodplain Prairies form an aspect of this vegetative continuum. This ecological site occurs on floodplains and stream terraces on poorly drained soils affected by soluble salts. Species characteristic of this ecological site consist of halophytic herbaceous vegetation.

Fluctuating high water tables and periodic flooding are the dominant disturbance factors in Natric Floodplain Prairies. The Dakota Sandstone (with origins in underlying formations of Pennsylvanian and Permian age) forms the bedrock beneath this ecological site, and salts naturally occur within the bedrock. As groundwater flows through the aquifer, the bedrock is dissolved and salts accumulate in the water. This saline groundwater is carried to the soil surface via increases in water tables from hydrologic cycling. As the water table recedes, the water drops but the salts remain (Harvey et al. 2007). These salt-affected sites can impact plant community composition and production by limiting growth and productivity (Gupta and Huang 2014). Higher salt concentrations are typically inhabited by virtually only halophytic (salt-tolerant) species while lower concentrations can be inhabited with both halophytic and non-halophytic prairie species (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010).

Fire and drought played smaller, secondary roles as disturbance factors in this ecological site. Fire was infrequent, as the alkaline conditions would prevent high accumulation of vegetation and associated fuel loads. Average fire return intervals are modeled to occur approximately every twenty years (LANDFIRE 2009). Drought, likewise, impacted the kinds and amounts of vegetation. Coupled with fire, periods of drought likely prevented woody vegetation from populating this site (Pyne et al. 1996).

Today, most, if not all, original Natric Floodplain Prairies have been reduced as a result of drainage and clearing for agriculture and livestock production. Sites have also been degraded by stream channelization which results in streambed incision. In turn, that has lowered the salinity, which changes the reference plant community. Invasive species, such as reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), have been invading this site and reducing native species diversity (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010).

State and transition model

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Standard diagram

Figure 12. STM

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State 1
Reference State

The reference plant community is categorized as a wet prairie dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation. The two community phases within the reference state are dependent on high water tables and periodic flooding. The duration and depth of water moving through the site alters salinity levels which affects species composition, cover, and extent. Periodic fire and drought had less of an impact, but still contributed to overall species composition, diversity, cover, and productivity.

Dominant plant species

saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass

Community 1.1
Saltgrass – Foxtail Barley

This reference community phase represents a high water table from a recent flood event. This phase can also occur within the lowest point of the depression, known as the salt-flat zone. The site is sparsely vegetated with species tolerant of moist, saline conditions. Saltgrass and foxtail barley are the dominant species in this phase. Little, if any, species diversity exists, and salt crusts may form on the soil surface (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010).

Dominant plant species

saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass

Community 1.2
Foxtail Barley – Blue Grama

This reference community phase represents a lowered water table or an extended flood-free period of generally more than ten years (LANDFIRE 2009). This phase can also occur along the higher edges of the depression, known as the saltgrass zone. Species tolerant of slightly to moderate saline, dry conditions dominate the ground cover, including foxtail barely and blue grama (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010).

Dominant plant species

foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass

Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Natural succession as a result of no flooding in ten years or a prolonged lowered water table.

Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Natural succession as a result of recent flood event or raised water table.

State 2
Decreased Salinity State

Large-scale stream channelization efforts along the Missouri River and its tributaries have resulted in excessive streambed incision and changes in landscape hydrology. This has reduced the water table and flood frequency of Natric Floodplain Prairies, causing the salinity to decrease over time. As salinity levels are reduced, the reference community transitions into a state that can be co-occupied by halophytes and non-halophytes alike (Harvey et al. 2007; Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010).

Community 2.1
Prairie Cordgrass – Sedges

In this community phase, the landscape hydrology has been altered to the extent that salinity amounts have decreased and remained below pre-European settlement amounts. The site is still populated with halophytic species, such as prairie cordgrass, foxtail barley, and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), but these species are not obligates of saline environments. Non-halophytic species diversity begins to increase and can include various sedges (Carex L.), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), tall tickseed (Coreopsis tripteris L.), and great St. Johnswort (Hypericum ascyron L.) (Soil Survey Staff 2015).

Dominant plant species

prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
sedge (Carex), grass

State 3
Cool Season Pasture State

The cool-season grassland state occurs when the reference state has been anthropogenically-altered for livestock production. Interseeding of non-native cool-season grasses, annual mowing, and grazing by domesticated livestock transition and maintain this simplified grassland state. Over time, as lands were continually grazed by large herds of cattle, native plant species diversity decreased and the non-native species were able to spread and expand across the prairie habitat (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010).

Dominant plant species

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass

Community 3.1
Reed Canarygrass – Kentucky Bluegrass

Sites in this community phase arise from tree removal and seeding of non-native cool-season grasses (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2010). Cottonwoods and sycamores have some timber value and were harvested to supply the timber market for early settlers. Flood events allowed the regeneration of some eastern cottonwoods, but heavy grazing adversely affects the maturation of seedlings (Taylor 2001). Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and Kentucky bluegrass were common species used for pasture planting. Grazing by livestock maintain this simplified grassland state.

Dominant plant species

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass

State 4
Cropland State

The Midwest is well-known for its highly-productive agricultural soils, and as a result, much of the MLRA has been converted to cropland, including portions of this ecological site. The continuous use of tillage, row-crop planting, and chemicals (i.e., herbicides, fertilizers, etc.) have effectively eliminated the reference community and many of its natural ecological functions in favor of crop production. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) are the dominant crops for the site. These areas are likely to remain in crop production for the foreseeable future.

Community 4.1
Conventional Tillage Field

Sites in this community phase typically consist of monoculture row-cropping maintained by conventional tillage practices. They are cropped in either continuous corn or corn-soybean rotations. The frequent use of deep tillage, low crop diversity, and bare soil conditions during the non-growing season negatively impact soil health. Under these practices, soil aggregation is reduced or destroyed, soil organic matter is reduced, erosion and runoff are increased, and infiltration is decreased, which can ultimately lead to undesirable changes in the hydrology of the watershed (Tomer et al. 2005).

Community 4.2
Conservation Tillage Field

This community phase is characterized by rotational crop production that utilizes various conservation tillage methods to promote soil health and reduce erosion. Conservation tillage methods include strip-till, ridge-till, vertical-till, or no-till planting systems. Strip-till keeps seedbed preparation to narrow bands less than one-third the width of the row where crop residue and soil consolidation are left undisturbed in-between seedbed areas. Strip-till planting may be completed in the fall and nutrient application either occurs simultaneously or at the time of planting. Ridge-till uses specialized equipment to create ridges in the seedbed and vegetative residue is left on the surface in between the ridges. Weeds are controlled with herbicides and/or cultivation, seedbed ridges are rebuilt during cultivation, and soils are left undisturbed from harvest to planting. Vertical-till systems employ machinery that lightly tills the soil and cuts up crop residue, mixing some of the residue into the top few inches of the soil while leaving a large portion on the surface. No-till management is the most conservative, disturbing soils only at the time of planting and fertilizer application. Compared to conventional tillage system, conservation tillage methods can reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter and water availability, improve water quality, and reduce soil compaction.

Community 4.3
Conservation Tillage Field/Alternative Crop Field

This condition applies conservation tillage methods as described above as well as adds cover crop practices. Cover crops typically include nitrogen-fixing species (e.g., legumes), small grains (e.g., rye, wheat, oats), or forage covers (e.g., turnips, radishes, rapeseed). The addition of cover crops not only adds plant diversity but also promotes soil health by reducing soil erosion, limiting nitrogen leaching, suppressing weeds, increasing soil organic matter, and improving the overall soil. In the case of small grain cover crops, surface cover and water infiltration are increased, while forage covers can be used to graze livestock or support local wildlife. Of the three community phases for this state, this phase promotes the greatest soil sustainability and improves ecological functioning within a cropland system.

Pathway P4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2

Tillage operations are greatly reduced, crop rotation occurs on a regular schedule, and crop residue is allowed to remain on the soil surface.

Pathway P4.1B
Community 4.1 to 4.3

Tillage operations are greatly reduced or eliminated, crop rotation is either reduced or eliminated, and crop residue is allowed to remain on the soil surface, and cover crops are implemented to prevent soil erosion.

Pathway P4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1

– Intensive tillage is utilized and monoculture row-cropping is established.

Pathway P4.2B
Community 4.2 to 4.3

Cover crops are implemented to prevent soil erosion.

Pathway P4.3B
Community 4.3 to 4.1

Intensive tillage is utilized, cover crops practices are abandoned, monoculture row-cropping is established, and crop rotation is reduced or eliminated.

Pathway P4.3A
Community 4.3 to 4.2

Cover crop practices are abandoned.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Changes in landscape hydrology transition this site to the decreased salinity state (2).

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Interseeding of cool-season grasses, non-selective herbicide, and grazing transition this site to the cool-season grassland state (3).

Transition T1C
State 1 to 4

Installation of drain tiles, tillage, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition this site to the cropland state (4).

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Interseeding non-native cool-season grasses, non-selective herbicide and grazing.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

Installation of drain tiles, tillage, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition this site to the cropland state (4).

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2

Site preparation, native seeding, and invasive species control transition this site to the decreased salinity state (2).

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

Agricultural conversion via drain tile installation, tillage, seeding, and non-selective herbicide.

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 2

Removal of drain tiles, site preparation, native seeding, and invasive species control transition this site to the decreased salinity state (2).

Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 3

Interseeding of cool-season grasses, non-selective herbicide, and grazing transition this site to the cool-season grassland state (3).

Additional community tables

Supporting information

Inventory data references

No field plots were available for this site. A review of the scientific literature and professional experience were used to approximate the plant communities for this provisional ecological site. Information for the state-and-transition model was obtained from the same sources. All community phases are considered provisional based on these plots and the sources identified in ecological site description.

Other references

Baker, R.G., C.A. Chumbley, P.M. Witinok, and H.K. Kim. 1990. Holocene vegetational changes in eastern Iowa. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 97: 167-177.

Baker, R.G., L.J. Maher, C.A. Chumbley, and K.L. Van Zant. 1992. Patterns of Holocene environmental changes in the midwestern United States. Quaternary Research 37: 379-389.

Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C. Carpenter, and W.H. McNab. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Coterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76. Washington, DC. 92 pps.

Decker, W.L. 2017. Climate of Missouri. University of Missouri, Missouri Climate Center, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Available at http://climate.missouri.edu/climate.php. (Accessed 24 February 2017).

Federal Geographic Data Committee. 2013. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. FGDC-STD-004-2013. Second Edition. Wetlands Subcommittee, Federal geographic Data Committee and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 90 pps.

Gupta, B. and B. Huang. 2014. Mechanism of salinity tolerance in plants: physiological, biochemical, and molecular characterization. International Journal of Genomics, vol. 2014, Article ID 701596, 18 pages. Doi:10.1155/2014/401596.

Harvey, F.E., J.F. Ayers, and D.C. Gosselin. 2007. Ground water dependence of endangered ecosystems: Nebraska’s eastern saline wetlands. Ground Water 45: 736-752.

LANDFIRE. 2009. Biophysical Setting 3914950 Western Great plains Depressional Wetland Systems. In: LANDFIRE National Vegetation Dynamics Models. USDA Forest Service and US Department of Interior. Washington, DC.

NatureServe. 2015. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1 NatureServe, Arlington, VA. Available at http://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed 13 February 2017).

Nigh, T.A. and W.A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Peel, M.C., B.L. Finlayson, and T.A. McMahon. 2007. Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 11: 1633-1644.

Prior, J.C. 1991. Landforms of Iowa. University of Iowa Press for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa City, IA. 153 pps.

Pyne, S.J., P.L. Andrews, and R.D. Laven. 1996. Introduction to Wildland Fire, Second Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York, New York. 808 pps.

Smith, R.D., A. Ammann, C. Bartoldus, and M.M. Brinson. 1995. An Approach for Assessing Wetland Functions Using Hydrogeomorphic Classification, Reference Wetlands, and Functional Indices. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Wetlands Research Program Technical Report WRP-DE-9. 78 pps.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions – Napa [Online]. Revised 6/2015. Available at https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/N/NAPA.html. (Accessed 6 June 2017).

Steinauer, G. and S. Rolfsmeier. 2010. Terrestrial Natural Communities of Nebraska, Version IV. Unpublished report of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lincoln, NE. 224 pps.

Stockton, C.W. and D.M. Meko. 1983. Drought recurrence in the Great Plains as reconstructed from long-term tree-ring records. Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology 22: 17-29.

Tomer, M.D., D.W. Meek, and L.A. Kramer. 2005. Agricultural practices influence flow regimes of headwater streams in western Iowa. Journal of Environmental Quality 34: 1547-1558.

United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. 682 pps.

United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2008. Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Classification: An Overview and Modification to Better Meet the Needs of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Technical Note No. 190-8-76. Washington, D.C. 8 pps.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. 2013. Level III and Level IV Ecoregions of the Continental United States. Corvallis, OR, U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, map scale 1:3,000,000. Available at http://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-andiv-ecoregions-continental-united-states. (Accessed 1 March 2017).

U.S. Geological Survey. 1999. Geology of the Loess Hills, Iowa. Information Handout, July. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/info/loess/. (Accessed 27 February 2017).

Approval

Chris Tecklenburg, 5/21/2020

Acknowledgments

This project could not have been completed without the dedication and commitment from a variety of partners and staff (Table 6). Team members supported the project by serving on the technical team, assisting with the development of state and community phases of the state-and-transition model, providing peer review and technical editing, and conducting quality control and quality assurance reviews.

Organization Name Title Location
Drake University:
Dr. Tom Rosburg Professor of Ecology and Botany Des Moines, IA

Iowa Department of Natural Resources:
Lindsey Barney District Forester Oakland, IA
John Pearson Ecologist Des Moines, IA

LANDFIRE (The Nature Conservancy):
Randy Swaty Ecologist Evanston, IL

Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Rick Bednarek IA State Soil Scientist Des Moines, IA
Stacey Clark Regional Ecological Site Specialist St. Paul, MN
Tonie Endres Senior Regional Soil Scientist Indianapolis, IA
John Hammerly Soil Data Quality Specialist Indianapolis, IN
Lisa Kluesner Ecological Site Specialist Waverly, IA
Sean Kluesner Earth Team Volunteer Waverly, IA
Jeff Matthias State Grassland Specialist Des Moines, IA
Kevin Norwood Soil Survey Regional Director Indianapolis, IN
Doug Oelmann Soil Scientist Des Moines, IA
James Phillips GIS Specialist Des Moines, IA
Dan Pulido Soil Survey Leader Atlantic, IA
Melvin Simmons Soil Survey Leader Gallatin, MO
Tyler Staggs Ecological Site Specialist Indianapolis, IN
Jason Steele Area Resource Soil Scientist Fairfield, IA
Doug Wallace Ecological Site Specialist Columbia, MO

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)	Lisa Kluesner
Contact for lead author
Date	11/24/2024
Approved by	Chris Tecklenburg
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R107XB023IA

Natric Floodplain Prairie

Last updated: 5/21/2020 Accessed: 11/24/2024

General information

Figure 1. Mapped extent

MLRA notes

Classification relationships

Ecological site concept

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

State 3 submodel, plant communities

State 4 submodel, plant communities

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Last updated: 5/21/2020
Accessed: 11/24/2024